Oil Change & Oil Type Recommended

This is a discussion on Oil Change & Oil Type Recommended within the General Ninja 650R forums, part of the Kawasaki Ninja 650R category; Guys, I'm sorry... I'm sure this subject has been covered over and over again, but I can't find the thread.
How often do you change ...

3,000 for dino or 5,000 for synthetic is the normal rate, many go farther on synthetic. I use synthetic for the longer interval, I can hit 5k in a single trip.

With every bike I've owned I've always tried a bunch of different oils to see which the bike likes best. You'll be able to tell because it'll shift smoothly the whole time the oil is in there.

I do not use motorcycle specific oil. In my opinion its grossly overpriced for what you get and a total ripoff. You can use automotive oil, just make sure it doesn't say "energy conserving." I, and other riders, have had excellent luck with the auto oils formulated for diesel engines.

I have tried 5 different oils in my 650R. My previous favorite was the Rotella T6. However I am currently 2500 miles into a test of Chevron Delo 400 LE and am really liking it. Pretty much all the oil I buy I get from Walmart.

When you're trying out oils, don't be afraid to dump one quickly if you don't like it. The last stuff I tried, made by Mobil One, came out after 500 miles. I didn't bother changing the filter, just dumped the oil out of it.

The bike only takes 2 quarts, so it doesn't cost much to experiment. Have fun and listen to your bike!

change it every 4-6k miles. I used regular oil till i hit 7500miles then went full synthetic. I waited for the break-in period at 7500 and when i switched the gears felt so much smoother.

oil i use is "Spectro Platinum Full Synthetic Motorcycle 10w 40" pretty pricey i must say but only the best for my ninja.

Do it your self, its so easy. I was scared i might mess something up at frist and paid someone to do it at a shop,for around 90 bucks. now i do it my self and i enjoy it honestly. nothing like working on your bike.

The last stuff I tried, made by Mobil One, came out after 500 miles. I didn't bother changing the filter, just dumped the oil out of it.

Interesting, I've used the automotive Mobil1 full synthetic 15W50 in the last 6 bikes (including my 2 current bikes) up to and over the 100,000 mile mark with no oil consumption from any of them even with some hard usage or any oil related problems, what I'm driving at is this, what didn't you like about it?
Alas I will be looking at other brands soon, my stock will run out in the next year or so and what I used to get at Wally-World for $ 3.89/qt now is around $10/qt when I can find it.

Well crap, Ive just been using the Kawasaki (which is Mobile 1 I believe) regular. I feel like the odd man out. I planned to switch to synthetic after I hit a bit higher mileage as per dealer recommendation.

I am unable to get 7500 miles a year so I basically do one oil change a year. If you do go that far, the manufacturer usually knows what they are doing.

Purolator PureONE PL14610 since Advance Auto is always having deals on them and Advance Auto always has coupons and they are really good filters. Rotella T6 oil. I started at 600 miles with my first oil change. Considering the little amount of oil needed, you should just go synthetic since it does have benefits. There is no reason to go cheap there just like safety.

The shell rotella T has been fantastic for me (thanks Smash!)
I usually use the shell rotella T6 but on my last oil change decided to give the T a try.
My gear shifs are very smooth as compared to the T6
Don't get me wrong...I liked the t6 but my gear shifts on it starts off a little notchy and then smoothens out after the oil has been in the bike for a few hundred miles. But with the T, it starts off smooth right at the start. Also it costs about $10 per gallon at walmart!

Xpyron - I thought you aren't supposed to leave your oil in for more than a few months no matter hoe many miles you do??

Interloper - always happy to help when I can. However, keep in mind the Rotella T is not a synthetic so will need to be changed more often. The T is what we use in Karla's ZR7, the air cooled machines I've owned always seemed to do better with dino oil.

end of discussion. 10k miles on a 250 mostly touring at 10000 rpm for hours and hours and a cbr600f4i i ripped the holy **** out of at every opportunity that had 30k on it when i sold it. no leaks, no issues, just cheap, easy, great oil and filters.

whatever cheap auto oil i can get (non EC, of course) and purolator filter. mileage seems to be somewhat controversial, but i think every 4,000-5,000 miles would be perfectly fine. thinking of trying Rotella some time soon since it's got a great rep and is cheap...

I just did my first oil change at 3000 miles and used the standard kawasaki oil myself so dont feel like your the odd man out to much. I also went with the stock Kawasaki filter as well.

The only problem i have is a lot of times when i shift it shifts a little harder and I can hear the gears sync up one I shift. Is that normal? Would this noise be rectified If i was to go with another oil?
I was contemplating using Amsoil 10w40 full synthetic on my next change.